Bisphenol A (BPA) Overview

A chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.

Plastics containing BPA, often used in food containers and other items.

Ways BPA enters the human body, including oral, dermal, and inhalation.

Ingestion of BPA through contaminated food and beverages.

Absorption of BPA through the skin, especially from contact with certain materials.

Breathing in BPA-containing vapors, mists, or dust.

BPA spreading throughout the body via bloodstream.

Oral ingestion of contaminated food and beverages is the leading way humans are exposed to BPA.

BPA is primarily metabolized in the liver by conjugation with glucuronic acid, forming BPA-glucuronide.

The water-soluble metabolite of BPA, formed by conjugation with glucuronic acid.

BPA can accumulate in various tissues, including adipose, liver, and brain, but the extent in humans is unknown.

BPA-glucuronide is primarily eliminated from the body via urine, due to low enterohepatic recirculation.

BPA exposure is linked to growth issues, infertility, endocrine and immune system disruptions, and potential carcinogenicity.

BPA exposure has shown correlation with oxidative stress influencing immune function and inflammation.

BPA is linked to mitochondrial damage and cell death (apoptosis), leading to immune system alterations.

BPA exposure during development is associated with mental impairment and behavioral changes in a sex-specific way.

Lower levels of the neuroactive steroid Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in males may be linked to depressive tendencies.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is classified as harmful in the EU due to its potential to harm fertility, cause eye damage, and trigger allergic skin/respiratory reactions.

BPA is an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) that interferes with hormone production, transportation, and action in the body.

BPA can disrupt estrogen levels in females, increasing estradiol and decreasing testosterone in males.

Exposure to BPA can lead to issues like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), delayed puberty, miscarriages, endometriosis, premature births, and infertility in females.

BPA exposure affects male reproductive health, causing testicular atrophy, reduced sperm quality/quantity, and reduced testosterone production potentially causing infertility.

A possible link exists between BPA exposure and an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

BPA disrupts hormonal systems by substituting endogenous hormones, impacting transport proteins, and altering hormone concentrations in the blood. These changes lead to disruptions in organs and systems.

BPA, through its estrogenic activity, might contribute to cancer development by interfering with DNA methylation and gene expression, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation.

BPA can stimulate the growth of epithelial cells, leading to an increase in cell numbers and potentially causing issues like hydronephrosis.

BPA exposure can disrupt normal growth and development, particularly during fetal and postnatal stages, due to its interference with key metabolic and elimination processes.

Vitamin C has shown to alleviate some of the effects of BPA exposure in fish, particularly on liver, kidney, and skin cells.

Substances like Pistacia integerrima, a type of tree, have shown potential in reducing BPA-related harm, particularly in the heart, by mitigating oxidative stress and cell death.

BPA can bind to estrogen receptors and disrupt gene expression by interfering with DNA methylation, altering the way genes are read and expressed.

BPA's disruption of hormonal balance and its effects on cell growth can potentially affect mental health but further research is needed.

A condition where the kidneys swell due to urine buildup caused by blockage or obstruction in the urinary tract.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set a daily limit of 50 µg per kg of body weight for BPA exposure, considered non-harmful. The European Union set a lower limit of 4 µg per kg of body weight per day.

In infant rats, probiotics helped counteract the hypertensive effects of BPA exposure.

BPA exposure in infant rats caused vascular changes like ROS/NO imbalance and endothelial dysfunction, leading to cell death.

Resveratrol, a plant compound, can prevent cancer cell growth by blocking BPA's interaction with estrogen receptors.

In fish studies, vitamin C supplementation helped reduce the negative effects of BPA exposure on kidney functions.

The US FDA has guidelines limiting BPA in baby bottles and formula packaging, while the EU bans its use in cups, straws, and baby bottles.

Canada has set a maximum BPA concentration in water at 0.005 mg, but advises against its presence in baby bottles and formula packaging.

Countries like Australia, Japan, and China have established guidelines with tolerance limits for BPA in various products and environments.